|
Page 138:-
studded with farm-houses, that are sheltered by groups of
trees. A richly-wooded promontory, that stretches from the
west side of the lake, appears to cut it into two: a little
beyond is Fordingdale Beck, presenting some beautiful
cascades, and the grand assemblage of mountains at the
lake-head, in the noblest point of view. Branstree, Harter
Fell, with its ridgy projection, Riggendale, High Street,
Kidsty Pike, which has two points, and is low in the middle
like Saddleback, and Whelter, stand around its head, and
send down the trickling streams and silvery cascades to feed
this interesting water. The views, indeed, in passing up,
are a composition of magnificence and sublimity, as seen
from the carriage-road in the most favourable manner; the
scenes looking down the lake, form a striking contrast - all
is rural beauty and sylvan sweetness.
|
|
About one mile further from the head of the lake stands
Mardale Chapel, which is under Shap; it is a wild solitary
region, surrounded by lofty mountains and fells. Near this,
in former days, there stood 'a simple cottage among rocks,
woods, and solitary mountains; it bore on its varied roofs
and numerous gable-ends the marks of former centuries; its
owners had lived there in succession for many generations. A
few paces took them to Mardale Chapel, their place of
worship, and when they died, their long home was on their
own premises. They were surrounded by woody knolls, and
these kmolls were surrounded by lofty moun-
|